“We have now decided to bring forward our plans to launch the world’s first radio station exclusively for animals – Positively Pets – and hope to be on-air by Christmas,” the former Telly Addicts hosts told MailOnline.

“I’m inviting pet lovers to send in their audio messages for their loved ones and we will broadcast them plus music requests and ‘special relaxing tones’ for pets left at home alone.”

Asked if he has “lost the plot” following his move into animal-focused endeavours, Edmonds replied: “What plot? Someone accused me of having ‘gone off the rails’ but I’ve never been on them hence the success and happiness I enjoy on a daily basis.”

Edmonds’ long-running Channel 4 game show, Deal Or No Deal, will end this year with a special run of episodes filmed at historic locations around the UK. The presenter is now working on several new game shows for Channel 4.